Governor Josh Shapiro: Connect Pennsylvania Families to $1 Billion in Education Scholarships

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro

Protect The 1st believes a healthy First Amendment culture depends on parents being able to pass their values from one generation to the next by choosing the schools that are the best fit for their children.

“Some students do well in large public schools,” writes Rep. Martina White of Pennsylvania. “Others thrive in smaller schools, faith-based schools, career programs, or flexible cyber schools. Public schools remain a cornerstone of our communities, but they do not have to be the only option.”

Educational opportunity should transcend the usual red state/blue state divide, especially when up to $1 billion in federal support is at stake for students and families.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis – a proud liberal Democrat – understands this. He has already chosen to participate in the new federal Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA) scholarship tax credit program. Colorado will now help connect families to scholarships funded through a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for donations to scholarship organizations. 
Gov. Polis didn’t embrace the program without scrutiny. He paired his decision with calls for accountability and oversight, making clear that states can both participate in the program and seek to shape how it is implemented. His message, in effect: Take the opportunity – and make it work for your state.

Pennsylvania now faces the same choice – and the same opportunity.

Under the federal program, individuals can receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for donations that fund scholarships for K-12 students. Those scholarships can be used not just for private school tuition, but also for tutoring, transportation, and other education-related needs. Crucially, the program relies on private contributions, not state funding, so it doesn’t take a dime away from public schools.

So far, Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania has not committed to opting in. It would be a tragedy if families were to lose this opportunity.

Fortunately, Gov. Shapiro has supported many scholarship programs. As Rep. White writes, existing scholarship programs in the Commonwealth are “changing lives every day,” particularly for families seeking better educational opportunities. But demand still far exceeds supply.

More than 100,000 low-income students are currently served by Pennsylvania scholarship programs – but many more are left waiting. The new federal program could unlock nearly $1 billion in additional scholarship support for Pennsylvania students. 

Rep. White has been clear about what’s at stake. “Families deserve the freedom to choose the educational setting that helps their children succeed,” she said. She’s also emphasized the urgency. “The time is now. Opt in now.” 

More than 280,000 Pennsylvania students already receive their education outside traditional public schools, a reminder that families are actively seeking alternatives that better fit their children’s needs. The federal program would simply give more families the means to make those choices – without taking a dollar away from existing state education funding.
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Gov. Shapiro has an opportunity to follow the lead of a fellow Democrat in Colorado and show that expanding educational opportunity is not a partisan cause. Thousands of Pennsylvania families are waiting.

Call to Action:
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If you believe Pennsylvania families deserve more educational opportunity, email Gov. Josh Shapiro today and urge him to opt in to the federal Educational Choice for Children Act scholarship program.

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